An Introduction To Violin Accessories

By Cornelia White


A lot of people who own violins are passionate about them. It is an instrument that can produce a beautiful sound and violinists are often in high demand. However this also means that their instruments need to be properly looked after. If you want to keep your instrument in the best working order then you need to ensure you have the right violin accessories.

One example of an item that affects the sound of the instrument is a mute. A mute is a small item that is clipped onto the bridge of the violin. These can be made from a range of materials such as wood, metal or plastic. As the name suggests a mute softens the sound of the instrument, creating a softer sound that can be useful when you need to change the tone during a piece.

Some musicians may travel around a lot. This means that your instrument can potentially be exposed to various extremes of temperature and moisture. This is why a lot of musicians invest in a dehumidifier in order to maintain the right atmosphere to prevent the instrument being damaged and maintain it in the best possible condition.

There are also a number of accessories you can use to change the sound of the instrument. For example there may be points in a piece where you want to play your violin a bit softer. One way to achieve this is to clip a mute to the bridge of your instrument. As you might have guessed this makes the sound of the instrument quieter, perfect for softer pieces of music.

Another thing that affects the sound quality of an instrument is a sap called rosin. This is used to change the amount of friction and grip between the bow and string. Without rosin a violin does not produce a lot of sound. You can get rosin in varying degrees of quality but the best will be mixed with precious metals such as gold and silver in order to get the best possible sound from your instrument.

One point of contention between violinists is whether or not to use a shoulder rest. There are some musicians who maintain that people should not use a shoulder rest. This is because they believe this separates the musician from their instrument and this means the music lacks that additional element of personal contact.

Other people say that a shoulder rest makes the musician more comfortable. This then means they are more likely to focus on their playing. Some people like to improvise their own from wood or sponge while others prefer a specifically fitted product. There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer to this and it is purely about what you as a musician find comfortable.

There are numerous places where you can purchase violin accessories. It helps to look at product reviews and customer feedback as well as asking for advice from your tutor or fellow musicians. This will make it easier to find the right accessories that are appropriate for your needs.




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